I am pleased to announce that Law Practice received three awards this summer: A 2007 APEX Award for Creative Director Mark Feldman for cover design of the April/May 2006 issue, another 2007 APEX Award in the writing category for Bill Gibson’s terrific “Ask Bill” column, and a 2007 Tabbie Award for cover design, again for the April/May 2006 cover. The APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The Tabbies recognize excellence in trade, association and business publications. Credit has to go to former Editor-in-Chief Merrilyn Astin Tarlton, who led the team to excellence at the time these awards were earned!

Congratulations are also due to the 2006-2007 Edge Award winners—announced on page 5 of this issue—for writing excellence in Law Practice magazine. And, for dedicating their time to evaluate the articles in this past year’s issues to select the winning articles, I wish to extend a big thank you to the 2006-2007 Edge Article Review Board members: Susan G. Duffy, Davis Wright Tremaine; Catherine Alman MacDonagh, Day Pitney; David H. Field, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin; Stephen D. Good, Gardere Wynne Sewell; Wells B. Lyman, Attorney at Law; Gary M. Wingens, Lowenstein Sandler; and David H. Maister, Maister & Associates Inc.

Onward to the present! This issue is focused on leadership, and the transition from partner to leader. The lack of practical information for the newly minted managing partner (the traditional sink-or-swim approach isn’t terribly helpful) inspired us to seek out a team of writers to offer the best advice for confronting the issues surrounding the transition to leadership. Alan Maclin, who earlier this year took the reins as president of Briggs and Morgan, offers six tips for a smooth transition. Patrick McKenna, who has written so many insightful books and articles on professional services management, guides us through the top tensions facing new leaders. Tom Grella has given us his insights into must-read leadership books. Steve Taylor has interviewed four fascinating women lawyers who’ve reached top tiers of firm management. And, in this issue’s case study, our experts advise a lawyer who has just been asked to be the managing partner of a troubled firm. Should she take the job? (Would you?)

Giving thanks. Our award-winning editorial and design team, Joan Feldman, Mark Feldman and Joy White, continue to amaze me. Also part of the magazine’s team are our outstanding Editorial Board members, who help us hunt down world-class advice, tools, tips and knowledge for every issue. I am truly thankful to work with each and all. Baby, you’re the best!